The modest master craftsman marks 25 years in the industry

We’re delighted to publish a guest post celebrating talented master craftsman Gwyn Carless, who celebrates 25 years as a lighting designer this year, and is featured in Part 1 of a four part series on The Light Yard’s ‘The Blog of Light’ focusing on craftsmanship and the modern artisan.

Our MD, Gary Stevens comments: “With the advent of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 there is a clamour for more and more automation and the emphasis is on productivity, which is fine as long as we recognise that machines and automation should only be considered IF it makes more sense than a human taking on the task and then we can repurpose our human resource to up-skill and carry out those tasks that only humans can do best - those artisan skills that *Jeff talks about that are invariably the value-add. It is like anything in life - we need to strike the right balance for the particular product and markets you are in. Looking forward to more blogs from The Light Yard in the future!”

Enjoy the first instalment in The Light Yard’s new craftsmanship blog post series...
It’s shaping up to be a momentous year for Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard.

2020 saw The Light Yard rebranding to reflect our exclusive relationship with master craftsman Gwyn Carless, who is marking a milestone of his own this year.

In 1995, fresh from a degree at Loughborough University’s Design School, Gwyn began working as a lighting designer. That means 2020 will be his 25th year in the industry.

Gwyn is too modest to shout about his skills and experience. That’s why we’ve decided to make a fuss on his behalf.

We’re marking Gwyn’s anniversary with a series of blog posts celebrating the quality that comes from passion, care and attention to detail.

In the first instalment, we’ll look at Gwyn’s amazing career and ask what it takes to become a master craftsman.

Gwyn is one of a handful of UK craftspeople with the skills and expertise needed to produce beautiful internal and external lighting fixtures using artisanal techniques.

Gwyn still relies on traditional methods to create high-quality fixtures with excellent environmental credentials. He crafts every fixture in his Derbyshire studio – an approach that’s increasingly rare in a market dominated by mass-production.

Trust us when we say you won’t find lights like Gwyn’s anywhere else in the world.

What makes a master craftsman?

Once a term used to refer to a member of a medieval guild, today a master craftsman is a highly skilled technician who creates beautiful objects, built with care and passion, and presented with the utmost pride.

The work of a master craftsman is more complicated than it seems. They must adhere to the strictest safety protocols, while ensuring technical specifications are met. They’re required to operate advanced computer technology, power tools and mechanised equipment.

Craftspeople still take an artisanal approach to their work, however. They’re as much artists as they are technicians and their creative flare is evident in everything they do.

Whether they’re drawing, sculpting or painting, the master craftsman goes to any length to design and create original products that fascinate and delight.

“A craftsperson is always creating interesting new work,” explains Gwyn. “There’s this combination of technical skill and artistry that’s becoming less and less common, especially in the digital age.

“In the UK, we are a bit sheepish about giving ourselves titles like master craftsman. But it’s important to acknowledge the career progression that’s possible to make the profession appealing to the next generation.

“The title master craftsman also signals to consumers which makers are likely to have the skills and experience they’re after. I’d never introduce myself to someone on the street that way though!”

For more information about Gwyn’s craftsmanship, follow Gwyn Carless at The Light Yard on its social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. To speak with a member of The Light Yard’s team, call +44 (0)330 2233 940 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Originally published by The Light Yard. Image courtesy of The Light Yard.

An interview with *Jeff Fuller, founder of The Light Yard featured on Focus SB's blog in 2016, followed by a guest post ‘How to Accessorise with Designer Electrical Fittings’ published on The Light Yard's The Blog of Light in September 2017.